Benitez Plans Raid on Liverpool for Defensive Trio – Report

Newly appointed Napoli manager Rafael Benitez is ready to raid his former club Liverpool as he looks to be reunited with defenders Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, as well as defensive midfielder Lucas Levia.

The former Liverpool manager knows each player extremely well after bringing the players to Merseyside during his time at the club.

Benitez has signed a two year deal with Napoli and has been promised funds as he bids to help the club improve on their second place finish in Serie A last season and win a first league title since the Diego Maradona inspired side of 1989/90.

Italian newspaper Il Mattino has reported that Benitez has spoken to sporting director Ricardo Bigon and informed him that he wants to be reunited with four former players, including the Liverpool trio and Barcelona midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Napoli can promise each player Champions League football and a chance at competing for the title next season which may well be an attractive prospect for the three Liverpool players.

Skrtel has been linked with a possible exit after falling out of favour under Brendan Rodgers in the latter stages of the season, while Agger was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City last summer.

Both defenders have a wealth of experience, with Agger joining Liverpool back in 2006 and quickly establishing himself in the first team, while Skrtel arrived in 2008 and formed a formidable partnership with the Dane.

Lucas joined Liverpool in 2007 when Benitez signed him from Gremio and despite initially struggling to adapt, quickly became accepted by the Liverpool fans and was named their player of the year in 2010.

The Brazilian has struggled with numerous injuries over the course of the last two seasons and has faced plenty of competition from the likes of Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen.

However, Liverpool would almost certainly not want to lose combative midfielder who is one of their more established stars and is a favourite amongst supporters.

Perhaps the most likely to be interested in a move is Mascherano who has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Barcelona side and has often been forced to play out of position in the centre of defence.

The Argentinian played a crucial role in Liverpool's success under Benitez and may well be interested in once again linking up with the Spanish manager at a club that is competing at the highest level of European football.

It would take a substantial amount of money to land all four players but with Napoli finishing a full nine points behind champions Juventus they may decide they need to invest heavily to make sure they can close that gap.